By Tenzin Chokyi

DHARAMSALA, 18 Sept: A private member’s Bill calling for the continuation of the Tibetan independence struggle prompted heated debate in the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) on Friday over the constitutional and procedural basis for bringing the proposal before the House, before members voted 23-15 against admitting it to the discussion agenda. 

The Bill was introduced by Parliamentarian Sangay Dorjee and supported by Parliamentarian Gagya Gyaltsen Choekyi on the third day of the second session of the 18th TPiE. Submitted as a private member’s Bill- an established avenue for individual parliamentarians to bring proposals before the House- it was rejected by 23 votes to 15 at the admission stage, preventing it from proceeding to substantive discussion.

Drawing on historical records documenting Tibet’s past independence, the worsening situation inside occupied Tibet, and statements by the Dala...